Kara Reed has offered continual encouragement throughout the previous book and the current projects. Listening to ideas and offering ideas on alternatives or additions to existing plot lines. This has been of considerable assistance and I am very grateful for the ‘on-call’ facility that emerged for me to express ideas and twists as they came to mind.
Sally Kemp has offered many ideas and sat politely listening to the ramblings as I formulated ideas and incidents in my mind. Patiently offering advice and never displaying frustration and impatience as I bounced from idea to idea. This has been immensely helpful and reassuring.
Kevin has helped with plots and offered structured ideas, including changes in direction or alternatives. Never complaining when I developed other ideas or rang/texted at inhospitable times. He provided an inspirational level of support and motivation during my bereavements and for that alone I will be eternally grateful.
Authors Note
This story is written to celebrate the human spirit, determination and resilience. Most of all in recognition of the exploits and integrity of the many colleagues and friends I have made over the years at one of the world’s largest and busiest airports. Having interviewed probably over three quarters of the frontline staff individually in the business unit I work in, I am continually engaged and inspired by their energy and understanding of the need to provide a first class security product to our passengers. Mistakes are not an option, it is not for everyone.
The many somewhat complicated legislative requirements can be confusing and sometimes seem extraordinary, but these are digested and continually reviewed in attempts to provide the exact service required to our passengers and fellow staff. Security staff are fully aware that the travelling public will be sometimes (perhaps often) frustrated and openly hostile to the individual requirements placed upon their travel for safety, yet they eagerly face this on a day to day basis because they simply believe in what they do for others. They cannot deviate or compromise on any of the legislation, yet face these requests every day from travellers they understand to be jetlagged, tired or simply unfamiliar with the airport environment. The legislation is devised to provide the safest possible travel for the public.
Over the years at this airport, I have met and known some truly fantastic people. People who will volunteer to stay after a long shift when an incident develops, staff that forgo breaks and their own personal time to assist our passengers, other staff or the airport. It is really an amazing place to work, I have many fond memories and look forward to many more.
In this book I have tried to reflect some of the characters of the many people I have met, attempting to combine several of the many characteristics and personalities in the pages. It has been immense fun, and I am grateful to the staff members whom openly agreed to be partially or fully portrayed, none even asking for details of the plot or how their character develops or behaves, even with the name changes. I specifically chose a cross section of the staff whom are polite, professional and daily commit to providing a special service for people at the airport without complaining or asking for any additional personal recognition or attention. In short, they just ‘get on with it’ and provide a polite and professional service in sometimes difficult circumstances.
The story itself is something I have developed over many years, with the potential to continue for some time. I have always been fascinated by the interaction of fate and instability in our lives and existence. The individual or collective human spirit clings to hope no matter how impossible reality seems to indicate the eventual outcome that will transpire or evolve, from this evolves our determination and motivation, something that clearly defines us as a race.
I hope this work gives an insight into the some of the characters of the spectacular people I am fortunate to know and work with. Heathrow is truly a great place.
The characters will return in the next book in the series as the war escalates across the borders of the Trevakian Empire and beyond. With earth no longer safe….the final battle for the planet is about to commence in ‘The Red Leopards of Zaxon B.’
The Last Marine in the Galaxy (Galaxies Collide Book 1) Page 29